M’luru: Shankarapura Jasmine exports badly hit by domestic cargo shut down at MIA

Mangalore: The halting of domestic cargo facilities at the Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) has affected the transport of GI-tagged Shakarapura Mallige (Jasmine) to markets in Mumbai.

The growers complain that they are losing revenue after losing a key market for the flower.

As the jasmine flowers are highly perishable, air freight is the only way to reach far-off markets in Mumbai and the Gulf countries where it has good demand. Before the pandemic hit, Shankarapura Jasmine was flown to Mumbai by flight and was further taken to international destinations from there. Around 300 to 500 chendu (rolls) of the jasmine was exported every day.

MIA being the closest to Shankarapura in Udupi, was the first choice for air freight. However, the closure of air cargo due to Covid 19 has hit the jasmine growers hard. Inability to reach the Mumbai market has created a glut in the local markets and the prices have crashed, said Yashwant, a Shankarapura Mallige supplier.

The situation has improved a little since the international cargo service resumed recently, he said.

The halting of domestic cargo services has affected other perishable products from the coastal districts too. Ornamental flowers, mushrooms, and vegetable growers have also claimed that demand has dropped since the closure of domestic cargo.

Selvamani, an officer of the cargo division at MIA, said that permission has been sought to resume domestic cargo services at the airport. “Screeners are being recruited as of now. The services will be resued soon,” he assured.